PORTLAND, Ore. – A 78-year old man previously convicted of rape and sodomy against his four-year-old victim has once again been arrested, this time accused of sexual activity involving a five-year-old girl. Deputies are concerned there may be other victims.

Edward Donnelly, MCJ photo

According to a news release issued by Washington County Sheriff’s Office, police were made aware of allegations from a family member about the victim’s father’s roommate, Edward Donnelly, 78, on March 1. The allegations were that Donnelly had touched himself for the purpose of arousal while encouraging the victim to touch herself.

Detectives from the Child Abuse Unit had the child seen at Cares Northwest by professionals who specialize in conducting interviews of young children, and a plan was initiated to ensure the alleged victim would have no further contact with Donnelly, deputies said.

During an interview with detectives on March 18, Donnelly admitted he saw the girl touch herself and was aroused, but denied touching the girl or instructing her to touch herself.

Because detectives learned during the course of investigation that the abuse allegedly took place in Portland instead of in Washington County, Portland Police took the suspect into custody on March 25 and transported him to the Multnomah County Jail. He has been charged with two counts of using a child in a sexually explicit display.

Donnelly’s criminal past includes an arrest in 1985 and later conviction and incarceration for rape and sodomy against the four-year-old. This conviction was prior to institution of the sex offender laws that require registration by the offender.

Detectives think it may be possible that other victims have not reported Donnelly's crimes to the police, or children have not told their parents of the abuse.

If you have specific information that Donnelly has had unreported illegal sexual contact with a minor, deputies ask you to call the Multnomah County Child Abuse Team tip line at 503-823-0306.